After a brief technical delay, Blue Origin achieved a milestone with the successful launch of its reusable rocket, New Glenn. This historic moment for Jeff Bezos’ space venture holds special significance for the Dominican Republic: Dominican aerospace engineer Alec Subero led the design of the rocket’s first-stage tank.
From Santo Domingo to Space Exploration
This Dominican Engineer is shaping space exploration. Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Subero has emerged as a prominent figure in the aerospace industry. He attended Colegio Arroyo Hondo before pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Despite facing language barriers and adapting to a highly competitive field, Subero’s unwavering passion for space exploration propelled him to success.
Leading the Design of the New Glenn
Currently, Subero heads the design of the first-stage tank of New Glenn, a rocket engineered to be reused for at least 25 flights per stage. Powered by seven BE-4 engines fueled with liquid oxygen, New Glenn is celebrated for its focus on sustainability and cost-efficiency.
“This rocket is designed to operate like a commercial airplane, but with cleaner fuel and a smaller environmental footprint. Today’s launch is a significant step forward for sustainable space exploration,” Subero remarked.
Read: Diana Trujillo from Colombian Immigrant to NASA Engineer
Envisioning an Aerospace Future for the Dominican Republic
In an exclusive interview with El Nuevo Diario, Subero shared his vision for the Dominican Republic’s role in the aerospace industry. He highlighted the country’s strategic geographical location near the equator as an advantage for potential space launches.
“The Dominican Republic has the potential to become a hub for the aerospace industry. With the technical talent already emerging from our universities and the right infrastructure, we could compete in this sector,” Subero stated.
He also emphasized the need for a Dominican space agency:
“A space agency could serve as a regulator, an educational promoter, and a driver of innovation to develop new technologies and skills within the country.”
With Subero’s leadership and achievements, his journey inspires a new generation to dream beyond the stars, proving that global accomplishments can begin on a small island.
